TOUT SAVOIR SUR LES ORCHIDÉES PHALAENOPSIS, DIVERSITÉ, SOINS, ENTRETIEN, ARROSAGE, FERTILISATION

NewsJardinTV is pleased to present its new program, "Passion Orchids," hosted by Colombe Lecoufle, an orchid specialist from a long line of renowned experts in these plants. The video begins with Patrick Mioulane, NewsJardinTV's editor-in-chief, providing a brief botanical overview of Phalaenopsis orchids. We then travel to Boissy-Saint-Léger, to the greenhouses of Ets Vacherot & Lecoufle, where Colombe gives her presentation amidst a vibrant floral display. Due to their wide variety of shapes and colors, Phalaenopsis (moth orchids) are among the most popular and commonly available flowering houseplants. Colombe presents a white Phalaenopsis with enormous blooms. It is a descendant of the 'Boule de Neige Henriette Lecoufle' variety, which was created by Colombe's great-grandmother. But today, the trend is towards compactness, with plants boasting numerous small flowers, some of which are even very pleasantly fragrant. Certain cultivars have marbled leaves, which adds to their ornamental appeal. In this category, Colombe presents the Phalaenopsis ‘Aromio Honey’, a dwarf variety with pastel flowers, grown in sphagnum moss, which reduces the frequency of watering. One of the undeniable strengths of Phalaenopsis orchids is the longevity of their flowering period, which lasts on average between two and four months, or even longer. Modern cultivars are easy to grow, especially since their presentation in transparent pots is a real communication tool… When the roots turn light gray, it's a sign that the plant needs watering. Use non-calcareous water at room temperature. You can water the top of the root ball after placing the plant in a container that will collect the water not absorbed by the potting mix and roots, or you can soak the pot for about ten minutes. The important thing is to let the plant drain thoroughly. When the plant has been well watered, the roots will have turned green. Another crucial precaution is to never let water stagnate under the pot (in the cachepot or saucer) as this will certainly kill the roots (rot). An important point to observe: the new leaves should be at least as wide as the previous ones, or even wider. If this isn't the case, it means the Phalaenopsis isn't getting enough light. Regarding what to do with the flower spike once all the flowers have faded, you can look for a well-developed bud on the stem and cut it above it, as it very often develops into a new small inflorescence. Another important point: respect the aerial roots and, above all, preserve them, as they represent the future of the plant. The Phalaenopsis should only be repotted when there are more roots outside the pot than inside. At that point, you will need to cut most of the roots inside the pot and place the roots that have developed in the open air into the new potting mix. Regarding fertilization, Colombe recommends using two different fertilizers: one for leaf growth and the other for flowering. When the Phalaenopsis is in full bloom, use a growth fertilizer to encourage the production of new, healthy leaves. Once these leaves are well-developed, alternate between growth and flowering fertilizers until a new flower spike appears. Then, switch exclusively to the flowering fertilizer until the flower buds open. Fertilize every other watering. Colombe recommends keeping Phalaenopsis orchids indoors year-round, at a temperature between 17 and 25°C (63-77°F). The plants should be placed in bright light (within one meter of a large window). In summer, a translucent shade cloth will provide the necessary filtration to prevent leaf burn. It is possible to move Phalaenopsis orchids outdoors during the warmer months, but in this case, they are often prey to slugs and snails. Colombe offers a selection of superb Phalaenopsis cultivars year-round on her website: www.lorchidee.fr We hope you enjoy this new program. NewsJardinTV brings you new video reports and the programs "Le Quotidien du Jardin" (The Daily Garden) and "Jardiner, ça fait du Bien!" (Gardening Feels Good!) several times a week. The channel currently offers over 1,830 videos, all of which can be found in the thesaurus on our website: https://www.newsjardintv.com/glossary/ Be sure to check it out! Also discover a "visual encyclopedia of plants and gardening" on our Instagram account:   / newsjardintv